Park train saved; boats' future unsure

Published: Wednesday, January 8, 1992 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 8, 1992 at 12:00 a.m.

The Cleveland Park minitrain has been saved, but the paddle boats may not float much longer. Russ Hart, director of the Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation Department, said Tuesday that two local companies have agreed to repair the 50-year-old train, which needs new brakes, bearings and other parts. But he said his department may discontinue rentals of the paddle boats if the Spartanburg County Council agrees with an advisory panel's recommendation. Hart said the advisory council suggested the move in response to declining use of the boats. Cleveland Park operated the eight paddle boats at a loss of about $5,000 last year. "We just felt it wasn't justifiable," Hart said, adding that the boats have been in use about 10 years. The County Council will consider the advisory council's recommendation when it meets at 1 p.m. today in council chambers at the county Administration Building on North Church Street. Told in November that the Cleveland Park minitrain and track repairs could reach $15,000, several County Council members suggested that the train might have to be removed from the park permanently. But Hart said Tuesday that two companies, whom he declined to identify, have offered to make the repairs themselves, manufacturing parts if needed. He said the council still may have to pay a portion of the repair costs but said it would be much less than the estimated $15,000. In a related matter, Hart said repairs at the Swim Center pool, which has been plagued by a leak since October, are finally complete. He said the leak was traced to an expansion joint and several valves and was corrected just before Christmas. In other business today, the County Council is scheduled to consider a resolution regarding a bond referendum for construction of a new headquarters library downtown. Library officials say they need the council's endorsement of the estimated $11 million project before they can begin private fund-raising. The council also will consider final reading of a noise abatement ordinance that would restrict "the making or creation of loud and unnecessary noises in the unincorporated area of Spartanburg County." The city already has a similar law in place. Violations of the county law would be considered a misdemeanor, and a conviction would carry a maximum fine of $200 or maximum jail sentence of 30 days. Original Atex file name: COUNTA.D

<p> The Cleveland Park minitrain has been saved, but the paddle boats may not float much longer. Russ Hart, director of the Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation Department, said Tuesday that two local companies have agreed to repair the 50-year-old train, which needs new brakes, bearings and other parts. But he said his department may discontinue rentals of the paddle boats if the Spartanburg County Council agrees with an advisory panel's recommendation. Hart said the advisory council suggested the move in response to declining use of the boats. Cleveland Park operated the eight paddle boats at a loss of about $5,000 last year. "We just felt it wasn't justifiable," Hart said, adding that the boats have been in use about 10 years. The County Council will consider the advisory council's recommendation when it meets at 1 p.m. today in council chambers at the county Administration Building on North Church Street. Told in November that the Cleveland Park minitrain and track repairs could reach $15,000, several County Council members suggested that the train might have to be removed from the park permanently. But Hart said Tuesday that two companies, whom he declined to identify, have offered to make the repairs themselves, manufacturing parts if needed. He said the council still may have to pay a portion of the repair costs but said it would be much less than the estimated $15,000. In a related matter, Hart said repairs at the Swim Center pool, which has been plagued by a leak since October, are finally complete. He said the leak was traced to an expansion joint and several valves and was corrected just before Christmas. In other business today, the County Council is scheduled to consider a resolution regarding a bond referendum for construction of a new headquarters library downtown. Library officials say they need the council's endorsement of the estimated $11 million project before they can begin private fund-raising. The council also will consider final reading of a noise abatement ordinance that would restrict "the making or creation of loud and unnecessary noises in the unincorporated area of Spartanburg County." The city already has a similar law in place. Violations of the county law would be considered a misdemeanor, and a conviction would carry a maximum fine of $200 or maximum jail sentence of 30 days. Original Atex file name: COUNTA.D</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output -->